Mudjacking or concrete leveling may be the answer if your front porch is stooping or your sidewalk is slouching. Consider these tips to level sunken concrete.

Is your front porch stooping? Your sidewalk slouching? Concrete leveling (also called mudjacking or slabjacking) may be the answer. Here are some tips from highly rated service providers on Angie's List:

Repairing concrete can be a cost-effective way to maintain your driveway.

What is mudjacking or concrete leveling?

It's a process used to fill voids under concrete with a mixture of cement and soil that is pumped under pressure through holes drilled into the concrete.

Why is concrete leveling a good option?

It's significantly cheaper than replacement — about one-third the cost — and the surface retains a weathered look, says Shannon Schwehm, president of Superior Slabjacking Inc. in Stanwood, Wash.

B. Charlton Howell of Charlton's Concrete Correctors in Indianapolis says most jobs cost $300 to $700. "It's a lot less disruptive and more cost-effective than tearing it out and replacing it," he says. He advises homeowners to hire a contractor with slabjacking experience and integrity. "The cheapest price is not always the best way to go."

When is mudjacking the best option?

Schwehm recommends concrete leveling when concrete has settled a half inch or more, and refers customers to specialists for more extensive home foundation repairs.

When is concrete leveling a bad idea?

If the concrete has cracked into pieces, mudjacking will not improve it. "If you want it to look brand new, slabjacking is not for you," Schwehm says. Florida homeowners should test the soil to make sure there are no sinkholes or lime cavities under the concrete, says John Jimpie, owner of JonSolutions Inc. in St. Petersburg, Fla. Jimpie also recommends mudjacking to solve drainage problems that cause concrete to erode.

Editor's note: This is an updated version of an article originally posted on Sept, 21, 2009.

Comments

The concrete in my front yard has seemed to be unlevel for a while, so I'm really glad I came across this article. I had no idea that the concrete can either be replaced or fixed by filling holes under the stooping concrete! This is definitely something that will be good to know as we look into hiring someone to fix it. It's so nice to know that there are solutions for our problem!